A/N: Bonus Chapter. I don't own any WWE characters. I may need to change the rating after this. We'll see.
Lanay looked over the text letting the hurt of anger and betrayal get to her as her fingers flew. How dare u? Hunter showed me everything! Y would u give my # to Seth? U better hope I don't catch you because it's ur head I'll be bringing back to Hunter or maybe I'll bring u and he can do the honors of seeing you die.
The text message was sent in a hurry. She never thought she would be saying these words to Stephanie of all people. When Hunter would get too harsh in his training Stephanie was the one to speak to her with kind words, praise her. The process of hurt would hit her later, it always did.
You have to hear me out on this one. I'm going to text you an address and you're going to have to be careful that no one follows you, meet at this diner it's about 2 hrs from there. I'll explain everything then and you can decide from there.
The idea was tempting but what if this was a test from them or a setup from Stephanie? She didn't know who to trust and knew the best bet was going to ultimately be herself. She had to hear Stephanie's side of the story as well.
What's the address?
Stephanie text back quickly and Lanay knew sneaking out was going to be easy but not being followed was going to be hard with everyone under the same roof. Her mind was telling her to ignore it, she was under The Authority for so long without ever asking questions but in the struggle between Stephanie and Hunter; she had to know what the hell was going on.
Lanay opened the door and wasn't shocked to see Show standing on guard.
"Where are you going?"
"Out. Tell Hunter I'll be back by the meeting tomorrow."
Show looked her over and a hint of understanding appeared on his face. "Go out the back, I'll tell him you're sleep. Hunter's so drunk and high he won't question it."
"Thanks." She grumbled walking past him.
"Hey, Lanay. I hope you get the answers you need and make sure to have your ass here tomorrow."
"I will." She gave him a small smile as she walked towards the back now happy that the party was in full swing. Hunter didn't seem like a man upset and why would he throw a party knowing he hadn't seen Stephanie since that morning? Too many questions that I'm going to get a million different answers for and I have to sort through the bullshit.
Two hours later
Lanay hit the small diner in Gainesville in record time having a feeling she would end up getting a hotel over driving back to Orlando. She parked away from everyone choosing to grab her trusty Beretta Nano that she hid discreetly in her ankle in case this was a setup she was going to take others out with her.
She smelled him before she saw him as he walked up on her. Lanay turned around quickly pressing the gun against his chest. "Why are you here?"
"I'm here with Stephanie."
"Don't wear cologne and keep the same brand, it's too distinct or at least for someone that knows you."
"I'll keep that in mind. Are you going to take the gun off my chest now?"
"Nope." Lanay popped the p in her mouth smiling as she did so. "Who else is here?"
"Just Steph and I"
"Why you?"
"You know why."
Lanay stared at the taller man grey eyes slowly bringing the down but not taking it away from him. "Walk in front of me."
"You're just going to brandish a gun in public?"
"There are two cars on this lot counting mine, the other is yours. No cameras. I will let both of us die before I trust you, so you have two options. Walk in front of me or I swear to God I will shoot you in your fucking chest and leave you here to bleed out slowly." Lanay cocked the gun slowly meaning every word she said.
He smiled genuinely his eyes crinkling in the corners. "You have gotten more ruthless."
"I learned part of it from you." Lanay smirked as his smile fell.
"About that…"
"Not now. Fuck, let's get this over with. Walk"
Roman put his hands up innocently as he walked towards the diner with Lanay following close behind the gun still poking at his back. "I shouldn't have made you two... you know."
"I said shut the fuck up."
"You still grit your teeth when you're upset."
"You wanted to teach me a lesson and well, there you had it."
"It was wrong to go about it that way after what Seth told me the other night. He was pissed at me and Dean for it, you wanted to rattle him and you managed to do it. He wanted to come tonight but Stephanie told him to stay away. He can't control himself when it comes to you, never could. For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you in that situation."
Lanay didn't speak, didn't want to go back to that night again. She didn't want to think about Seth ripping Dean and Roman a new one, she just wanted her answers and to sleep. They reached the door and she hid the gun in her back pocket. "You first." She finally spoke trying to push back the memory of that night.
Stephanie sat in the corner at a booth sitting awkwardly watching them walk in. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and her normal mischievous eyes held worry. She stood and reached to hug Lanay but the younger woman put her hand up, stopping her.
"Explain now."
"Will you at least sit Lanay?"
Lanay took the gun out discreetly before sitting down placing it in her lap. "I have a gun pointed at her Rome, one wrong move and you know what will happen."
Stephanie sighed not flinching nor shocked. "Okay. You know Hunter and I relationship was more business, there is or was love between us. He helped build our empire and we used… well less than perfect means to take over most businesses. He was my muse, he inspired me to go far but in that time he lost control. He was seeking control from other investment firms, making shaking and I couldn't control him anymore. You came in our lives at a perfect time. I found out I couldn't have kids and there you were, pinching pockets of strangers without getting caught and he was so infatuated with you. You take your looks for granted, you were the daughter we never had and always wanted but we trained you into becoming a killer." The waitress came over interrupting Stephanie asking if they wanted their order taken.
"Just bread and tea please." Lanay responded trying to keep calm to pacify the waitress into going away. Roman offered a larger meal and Lanay rolled her eyes.
"I'm hungry."
"Whatever Rome. Cut the backstory bullshit Stephanie and get to the point."
"I miss you calling me mom already." Stephanie said sadly. "Sami didn't deserve to die. He wasn't embezzling money from us. Hunter wanted his business. We may have done things that weren't best for business but this one was the worst. I tried to stop you. I hired The Shield to protect Sami and I wanted to explain it to you but you have such a zest for this life. You kill without remorse but I know you have feelings deep inside, they came out for Seth. Lanay, Seth never betrayed us, he made you feel, he made you laugh, he fucking changed you and I was so happy but Hunter didn't like it. He lied to you. He fabricated stories and documents. Seth was loyal to us." Stephanie looked over at Roman wanting him to back it up.
"It's true. Seth idolized Hunter and loves you, he would never went behind his back." Roman spoke up. "We had Hunter's back 100% until he sent you after Seth."
"He's using you Lanay. You are just as disposable as Seth because you're a bigger threat. Do you know how many of our men wouldn't mind taking you down?"
"Why now? Why leave now? Why are you just now telling me this? What is Roman's role in all this? Why is he here?"
"One of my contacts slipped to Hunter about my other businesses. I had to flee or he would kill me himself. Roman has been a huge help in this."
"So you two are fucking, great just fucking great." Lanay rolled her eyes. "How am I supposed to believe you two?"
Stephanie reached in her purse handing files. "You'll believe what's in black and white."
Lanay looked over everything, seeing that Stephanie words were being backed up but they were both good at fabricating and she was at a loss and knew that the only person she could trust is herself.
"I… I gotta go." She shoved Roman with her thighs to get him to stand up, placing the gun back in her ankle.
"Where are you going? You can't go driving with your mind like this?" Stephanie exclaimed.
"I know I fucking can't… I'm not. I'm getting a hotel room and heading out in the morning. I just need to think for a minute." It was too much between Roman, Hunter, and Stephanie her had was pounding. It was too much to deal with and take on in one day.
Roman handed her a napkin with a number on it. "I think you know who this is. You should call him."
Lanay took the napkin without looking as the waitress came back over bringing over Roman's food and her tea finally.
"Call him." Roman said ignoring the waitress confused look. "Thanks miss." He smiled flirtatiously. "We're good over here."
"Be careful. I don't know what you're going to do or decide but you know Hunter and his men. If you decide to come back I will keep you as protected as I can."
Lanay nodded absently not paying attention to their words but the napkin in her pocket was burning her hand. "I'll call you."
"Call him." Roman insisted again.
She walked to her car cautious of her surroundings before getting in. The napkin was balled into her hands as she sat in the car. The moment of weakness got to her as she dialed the number.
"Seth? I need you."
A/N: Thanks for reading.
